China Birth Rate
Crude birth rate per 1,000 people SP.DYN.CBRT.IN
China's birth rate was 4.0 in 2025, ranked 213th globally. This represents a 37.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
China's birth rate stood at 4.0 in 2025, a decline of +2.4 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 4.0 by 2025. China ranked 213th globally.
China’s birth rate has fallen dramatically over the 65‑year series, sliding from an all‑time peak of 43.37 births per 1,000 people in 1963 to a historic trough of 4.01 in 2025, the lowest figure among 213 reporting economies. The decline reflects the combined impact of the one‑child policy, rapid urbanisation and rising education and income levels, which have raised the opportunity cost of childrearing. By 2025 the rate ranks 213th globally, marginally below Ukraine’s 4.22 and Korea’s 3.86, and comparable to Macao SAR, China, which also records 3.86. The early 1960s surge occurred when the country was still predominantly agrarian and large families were economically advantageous, whereas the contemporary low aligns with a mature, service‑oriented economy and pervasive housing constraints. If policy measures such as expanded parental leave, child subsidies and a relaxation of fertility‑limiting regulations are intensified, the downward trajectory could modestly reverse, though demographic inertia suggests any rise will be gradual.
Data & projection
| Year | Birth Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 3.0 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 4.0 | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.0 | −2.4 | #213 |
| 2023 | 6.4 | −0.4 | #8 |
| 2022 | 6.8 | −0.8 | #9 |
| 2021 | 7.5 | −1.0 | #11 |
| 2020 | 8.5 | −1.9 | #19 |
| 2019 | 10.4 | −0.4 | #51 |
| 2018 | 10.9 | −1.8 | #56 |
| 2017 | 12.6 | −0.9 | #79 |
| 2016 | 13.6 | +1.6 | #84 |
| 2015 | 12.0 | −1.8 | #59 |
| 2014 | 13.8 | +0.8 | #81 |
| 2013 | 13.0 | −1.5 | #66 |
| 2012 | 14.6 | +1.3 | #86 |
| 2011 | 13.3 | +1.4 | #65 |
| 2010 | 11.9 | −0.0 | #48 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw birth rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
China's birth rate was 4.0 in 2025. Ranked 213th globally. This represents a 37.3% decrease from the previous year.
China's birth rate peaked at 43.4 in 1963.
The lowest birth rate in China was 4.0 in 2025.
China ranks 213th globally in birth rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.DYN.CBRT.IN. Data sourced from World Bank.
China's birth rate is projected to reach 4.0 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The birth rate of China in 2025 was 4.0. This ranks 213th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_china_birth-rate,
title = {China Birth Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/china/birth-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}